Meta Verified now in IndiaPrice, how to buy, what happens to existing verified accounts

By Sneha SahaMeta announced its Verified feature a couple of weeks ago for select markets. Now, the company is expanding Meta Verified to other markets including India and a few others. “We’re expanding our test of Meta Verified to India after seeing good results from our early testing in several countries globally,” the company noted in its official blog post.

So, what is Meta Verified? As the name itself suggests, it is a subscription bundle on Instagram and Facebook that includes a verified badge that authenticates accounts with government ID, proactive account protection, and access to account support. “Since our initial test of Meta Verified in Australia and New Zealand, we’ve made a few adjustments based on learnings, including the removal of increased reach for additional test countries. This continues to be the approach for India. We’re exploring elements to add to the subscription as we roll out to more places and will share more when we’re ready,” the company said in an official blog post.

With Meta Verified, users get three thingsa verified badge, protection from impersonation, and account support. Let’s explain.

–A verified badge verifies your identity. It authenticates your account with a government ID.

–Protection from impersonation with proactive account monitoring for impersonators who might target users with growing online audiences.

–Account support to resolve common account issues is available. Currently, it is available only in English, but going forward, it will be available in Hindi as well.

What is the price of Meta Verified in India? Meta Verified is available for direct purchase on Instagram or Facebook app in India starting today. Users can purchase a monthly subscription for Rs 699 on iOS and Android. The company has confirmed rolling out web verification in the coming months and it will be available for a cheaper price of Rs 599 per month.

What happens to existing blue tick accounts? Meta has confirmed that it will retain the verified badge for accounts that were verified before the introduction of Meta Verified. “These accounts passed through a set of criteria to confirm their authentic presence and may be more susceptible to impersonation than the average user. So, it’s important we maintain the verified badge to protect their accounts and the people that engage with them,” the company explained.

How to get verification on Facebook and Instagram? There are 3 eligibility criteria for the same.

–Accounts must meet minimum activity requirements like — prior posting history, and applicants must be at least 18 years old.

–Applicants are required to submit a government ID that matches the profile name and photo of the Facebook or Instagram account they’re applying for.

–Meta Verified subscriptions will include proactive monitoring for account impersonation.